Violet has Clarkson lie to mend their marriage. However, the two fail to resolve their marital problems, and agree to separate upon returning to England for Rose's wedding. She has one sibling, a sister who lives in Lytham St Annes. Violet also delighted in learning that Spratt had been writing for Ediths newspaper as an advice columnist. He is initially reticent about his family, but mentions that his great-grandfather and his family were Russian Jews from Odessa who had emigrated to England during the 19th century and eventually anglicised their family name. After Lady Grantham is struck by a severe case of Spanish flu, O'Brien maintains a bedside vigil, attempting to atone for the miscarriage. Carson and Mrs. Hughes from "Downton Abbey" occupy the same time period (the '10s and '20s) and the same positions as Stevens and Miss Kenton; they've shared some of the same plots, too.. Edith's mother Cora suggests that Edith bring Marigold back to Downton on the pretense that Edith is adopting her because the Drewes can no longer afford to raise her. It is not known whether he went ahead and published the story. He often resists "modern" suggestions for better management of the estate, especially after his daughter Mary joins his sons-in-law Matthew and Tom in running it. Elsie May[2] Carson (ne Hughes; b. Rupert Christiansen, writing in The Telegraph, bemoaned the casting and the fact checking.[23]. Andy later apologises to Thomas about his treatment towards him. She is unsure how to handle the situation, especially when he is drafted during the First World War and convinces himself that she is his sweetheart. Here are all the major losses the show has suffered. This makes Bertie, as the nearest male heir, the new Marquess of Hexham. This is at a time when most women did not smoke and it was very rare for a woman to be seen smoking in public. Shortly after this, Green is killed near Tony's house in Piccadilly Circus, and Tony travels to Downton to tell Mary the shocking news. 1892) (played by Laura Carmichael) is the middle daughter of Lord and Lady Grantham. But Edith, Mary, Matthew and Isobel defend Tom, and Mary settles the matter once and for all by revealing Sybil did not object to her child being a Catholic. But when learning of his status, Matthew (as the heir to Downton Abbey) instructs him to put an end to his relationship with Edith. When Mary asks why, Mrs Hughes has to reveal the truth of what happened to Anna, but once again remains silent as to who was responsible. O'Brien and Thomas were the only servants who never did like Bates and the duo constantly try to find faults and uncover his past in an attempt to force Mr Carson to sack him. Bates goes to York for the day but does not reveal the reason for going and Mr Green dies in Piccadilly after "falling into the road". And while the household is lined up to receive a duke, O'Brien discreetly kicks Bates's cane on which he was leaning, knocking him on his face in the gravel, in order to cause a scene and bring attention to his disability. He arrives at Downton before leaving to settle his cousin's affairs, and Edith accepts his proposal. She didn't exactly rule with an iron fist, but Hughes knew what needed to be done and took no nonsense from her underlings. By the end of the episode she is awaiting results that will tell her whether or not she has breast cancer. Then they toast together and they go back upstairs with all the others to wait for Christmas day. She is forced to accept defeat in this, not knowing that Lady Mary had already destroyed the ticket, as she wrongly believed it proved Bates's guilt. Carson and Mrs. Hughes Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes and Jim Carter as Mr. Carson on 'Downton Abbey' Nick BriggsCarnival Films Carson's bout with what seemed like Parkinson's disease. He threatens Mrs Hughes with leaving Downton in order to find out what is wrong with his wife. At this time, he had only recently succeeded to the viscountcy. For example, Rosamund's influence causes complications and delays Mary and Matthew's engagement during the first two series. When he was at school he fooled around and never learned how to read or how to write anything but his own name. Though unmarried, she is referred to as Mrs Hughes according to traditional titles for servants during the time period. They share a moment in which Jimmy exhibits some doubt about the plan, wondering if perhaps Lady Anstruther just wants to talk. She first meets Matthew when he is back in England on leave from the Army and they later become engaged. Mary struggles to move past her grief, but after the discovery of a letter from Matthew stating he intended to name Mary his sole heiress, she recovers and begins helping her father and brother-in-law Tom manage the estate. Daisy initially tried to avoid seeing Alfred at all, but eventually speaks to him and wishes him well as a friend. Nellie Melba (Kiri Te Kanawa) gives an operatic performance at the Abbey in 1922, where Cora intervenes to ensure she is treated as a guest of the family rather than a member of staff. She reveals the story of Anna's attack but states that the attacker was a stranger who broke into the house. Outwardly prim and somewhat strict in her manner as housekeeper, Mrs Hughes is essentially kindly and generous, as shown when she assists Ethel after she leaves her position and has a baby out of wedlock. Vera Bates (played by Maria Doyle Kennedy) (d. 1918) was the estranged wife of John Bates. Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham (played by Hugh Bonneville) (b. Andy tries to break ties with Thomas, on account of Mr Carson, Mrs Hughes, and Mrs Patmore informing him that Thomas is a homosexual. On returning home, relieved to find that Isis is safe, he learns from Grantham that some children had found and returned the dog, seemingly ruining Thomas' plan. She is played by actress Phyllis Logan. I was knocked out by her right away. Sir Richard Carlisle tricks Mrs Bates into selling the story, to save Mary and later threatens to expose her when she wants to break off their engagement. The two attempt to move past the attack, but both find it very difficult. Horrified by Major Bryant's refusal to acknowledge Charlie and his father's bullying, Ethel refuses the offer. At first, she is afraid of losing both Mrs Patmore and her father-in-law, when they begin to see one another, however, after reassurance from both of them that they will always love her, she changes her mind. Then she learns he got into a fight with some men in Munich after taking exception to what they were saying. May Bird (played by Christine Lohr) was the cook for Isobel and Matthew Crawley at Crawley House. When they win, Barrow follows Jimmy who, having won a large bet, has too much to drink. She is friendly and welcoming when he comes downstairs to say hello to his former co-workers. She is coerced by O'Brien into telling Edith, who writes to the Turkish Ambassador. Bates is freed, and the reunited married couple move into a cottage on the grounds shortly thereafter. Lord Merton remarks that both his sons are very much like his late wife, to whom he was not happily married. Through careful manipulation of both Thomas and Jimmy, O'Brien crafts a situation in which Thomas is caught publicly making a move on Jimmy, who reacts in fear and anger, as homosexuality was still illegal in the 1920s. Rose later becomes attracted to Sir John Bullock, a guest at a Downton house party with whom she later meets up in London along with some of her relatives. Matthew eventually relents and uses the money to save Downton Abbey from bankruptcy following Lord Grantham's having lost his wife's fortune through bad investments. , updated absolutely pissed that the movie people are at Downton, Mrs Hughes contrives to get Mary to tell Lord G to take him with them to France which Mary explains by saying 'make him think you'd feel he'd be useful to you' or words to that effect . The episode ends with Anna and Bates sharing a Happy Christmas alone. He has worked at Downton since he was a young man, when his grandfather was its Head Groom. Mary had thankfully gone to bed at a very reasonable time, and she would be home to the cottage by half past ten. She told another interviewer motherhood at a late stage was a wonderful surprise. The stalwart housekeeper of Downton Abbey Elsie Hughes (called Mrs. Hughes, a courtesy title for all cooks and housekeepers, regardless of marital status) is the head housekeeper of Downton Abbey, a country house and estate in the Yorkshire region of England. Mrs. Hughes of Downton Abbey: The Older Woman's Body Shame. During the Christmas episode, Bates visits Anna in prison where she reveals that a secret from her past could compromise any character witness statement the Crawleys make in her favour. Mrs. Hughes O'Brien's absence, which will be addressed in the season premiere, will probably have the biggest effect on head housekeeper Mrs. Hughes. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. One evening Drake kisses her and Lady Edith is pleased. Mary is concerned that the royal staff is running roughshod over Barrow. Sybil and Tom fled from Ireland on foot in the middle of the night, Sybil died after childbirth, Daisy married William. One of her most constant traits is her unfailing devotion to Downton as her home and, eventually, the estate which she will preside over. Sir Herbert leaves Downton the next morning with no knowledge of the incident. Though we didnt see Mrs. Patmore officially take up with Mr. Mason, subtle hints showed the two might end up happily evermuch like the rest of the characters. Major Bryant. Bates reveals that he kept the untorn ticket in his coat as a talisman for a time. She tells Bates's vengeful estranged wife Vera about the family's dirty secrets in an attempt to force Bates out and Vera uses that to blackmail Bates. When Elsie turns his proposal down he later married Ivy (died 1910) and had one son Peter, who joined the army. Miss Baxter refuses to inform Bates that, as a convicted criminal herself, she had to speak honestly to avoid another prison sentence. Although Phyllis Logan has had huge success, with"Downton Abbey" introducing her to audiences worldwide, she's in no hurry to pursue a career in Hollywood. . In episode 6 Anna begins to experience uncomfortable pains again and Bates insists he pay for her to see Ryder again. Michael follows Edith and her family to Scotland in 1921, where he meets her family. At Brancaster Castle, she helps him embarrass Lord Sinderby's butler at Mary's behest (because the butler was being rude to Tom), and she helps Molesley find evidence exonerating Bates of the murder of Mr Green. Vyner then asks that Anna visit Scotland Yard for further questions during the Crawleys' stay in London. A recurring theme during the first two series is the clash between Isobel's more modern and liberal values with the traditionalist ideas of Lord Grantham and his family. Shocked, Anna is cuffed as Mary, Robert and Bates attempt to plead her case but to no use. From the start it is clear that Lord Grantham finds Jane attractive and he takes a great interest in the education of her twelve-year-old son, Freddie. Mary slyly arranged for Edith to have dinner at the Ritz with Bertie, who professed his love for the unlucky sister. After the fire, Lord Grantham tells Carson that Jimmy has to go, but with a good reference. She is a strict taskmaster, but kind-hearted, offering advice and words of comfort to staff members in distress. Mrs Patmore has decided to buy a cottage to set up as a bed and breakfast, and Carson thinks he could do a similar thing with the housekeeper, to earn a nice nest egg after retiring. At Mrs Patmore's insistence, Mrs Hughes consults Dr Clarkson about a suspicious lump that she fears is cancerous; though visibly distraught at the thought of her illness she refuses to confide in any of the staff except Mrs Patmore, even at the cost of being upbraided by Carson for apparent laziness. At the end of the third series, Tom becomes the land agent for the estate at Violet's suggestion, owing to having grown up on a farm in Ireland. That leads Baxter to guess that Anna is pregnant. O'Brien, Cora's lady's maid, schemes to get Cora to talk to Lord Grantham about Bates's unsuitability. ". Phyllis Baxter (played by Raquel Cassidy), is hired as lady's maid to Cora following the departure of Edna Braithwaite. He also has a special place in his heart for Lady Mary, given she was the first child born at Downton during his tenure as butler. They had been too scared to come forward before but had now stepped forward and informed the police of his actions. Her father dies shortly after and Matthew honours his deathbed wish for his ashes to be placed in Lavinia's grave. She becomes distant from everyone, and is unable to even bear Mr Bates's touch, as she confesses to Mrs Hughes that she feels she no longer deserves him, and feels unclean. However, Robert relents after seeing how effective Cora is in the role. In fact, the actor reckons Hughes "would maybe set herself a few challenges: learn how to cook properly, do a bit of gardening, maybe take up learning the bagpipes.